The opening ceremony was officiated by Savannakhet Governor Santiphap Phomvihane in the presence of invited guests, local residents and visitors.

Chief of Xayphouthong district Khamvisay Phouyavong said the launch of Visit Laos Year 2018 in Savannakhet Province coincided with That Phone Stupa Festival, a celebration that has been observed since time immemorial and become one of favourite events of people in Savannakhet Province as well as those in Xayphouthong district.

“Every year, a large number of visitors, tourists, domestic and foreign, visit and pray at this stupa so the Savannakhet provincial authorities, especially the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism in association with Xayphouthong district authorities are launching Visit Laos Year 2018 today at this touristic That Phone Stupa of Xayphouthong district to promote and make this destination well known to visitors,” said Mr Khamvisay Phouyavong.

The opening also marked the completion of renovations which have been made to That Phone Stupa since early 2017 including the building of a glass wall, and the pavement of area around the wall using ancient techniques at a cost of 616 million kip, and the acquisition of 4 ha of land from local residents to expand the temple area at a cost of 4 billion kip and the building of That Phone cultural garden at a cost of 1.8 billion kip.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Governor of Savannakhet Province Khamphoune Touphaythoune highlighted the importance of tourism and urged local people to take part in welcoming domestic and foreign visitors with warm hospitality.